Afghanistan. Midwifery students in the city of Aibak in the province Samangang.

Afghanistan. Midwifery at the institute of Health Science Midwifery Programme in Kabul.

Afghanistan. Midwifery students in the city of Aibak in the province Samangang.

Afghanistan. Women's Hospital in Kabul.

Afghanistan. Mazar-e-Sharif, north Afghanistan.

Afghanistan. Midwifs at the Women's Hospital in Kabul.

Bangladesh.

In The Service of LifeYEAR 2013TRAVELS TO Sweden, Greenland, Cambodia, AfghanistanMEDIA OUTLETS Book, Swedish and English editionsASSIGNED BY The Swedish Association of Midwives

In 1711 Sweden received the first regulation for midwives which stated that the midwives in Stockholm should be trained, examined and swear an oath. To be bound by oath meant an undertaking always to support women in childbirth whether rich or poor, high or low born; never to discuss anything said in confidence and to always support their colleagues.

The academic education of qualified midwifes was a successful investment which contributed to a decrease in maternal mortality in Sweden as early as the 19th century.